An Ecological Momentary Intervention for the Reduction of Impairment in Somatic Symptom Disorder

Recruiting now · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Somatic Symptom Disorder (DSM-5), Impairment, Psychological Factors, Persistent Physical Symptoms, Medically Unexplained Symptoms

In brief

Persistent somatic symptoms significantly impair the daily lives of individuals with Somatic Symptom Disorder (SSD). Negative psychological factors (NPFs), such as catastrophizing and negative affectivity, further compound this impairment. Yet, few studies have examined strategies in daily life that directly target somatic symptoms and their dynamic relationship with NPFs. The goal of this clinical trial is to investigate if an Ecological Momentary Intervention (EMI) using music listening and cognitive reappraisal can reduce the intensity of and impairment due to somatic symptoms in 40 individuals with Somatic Symptom Disorder (SSD), aged 18-65 years. Participants will report symptom intensity, impairment, and NPFs up to four times daily via a smartphone app over a six-week period. Using an intraindividual randomized controlled design, during weeks two to five, participants will be randomly assigned in the ratio of 50:25:25 to no intervention, music listening, and cognitive reappraisal, both at fixed times (evening measurement) and during episodes of acute somatic impairment.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07646509

Run by

University of Vienna

People needed

40

Starts

2025-06-26

Expected to finish

2026-10-01

Last updated by the study team

2026-06-12

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 65. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Somatic Symptom Disorder

You may not qualify if…

• chronic physical illnesses that fully explain the somatic symptoms
• current psychotic disorder
• current bipolar disorder
• current self-harming behavior
• current suicidality
• current psychotherapy
• alcohol, drug, or medication dependence within the past 6 months

Where it is running

• University of Vienna — Vienna, State of Vienna, Austria (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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